Gamma-ray Bursts Research Articles

The Density and Ionization Profiles of Optically Dark and High-Redshift GRBs Probed by X-ray Absorption

The X-ray column density (NHX) of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can probe the local environment of their progenitors over a wide redshift range. Previous work has suggested an increasing trend as a function of redshift. The relevance of this current analysis relies on investigating the selection bias method, such as the effect of the X-ray spectrum in high-redshift GRBs, which complicates the measurement of small NHX; this has yet to be fully evaluated or discussed elsewhere. In this work, we evaluated these effects through simulations to define appropriate observational limits in the NHX versus redshift plane. We then applied a one-sided nonparametric method developed by Efron and Petrosian. Within the framework of this method, we investigated the redshift dependence of NHX and the local distribution function. Our results show that the evolution of NHX with redshift firmly exists with a significance of more than four sigma and follows a power law of (1+z)1.39(+0.22,−0.27). Based on these analyses and previous studies, the GRB progenitor mass varies but is more massive in the high-redshift environment and has a higher gas column density. This suggests that part of the luminosity evolution of GRBs, which has been widely reported, may be due to the evolution of the progenitor’s mass. Using the same method, we demonstrate that optically dark GRBs show a consistent evolution: (1+z)1.15(+0.67,−0.83). By applying the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test, it is shown that optically dark GRBs have statistically identical flux and photon index distributions compared to normal GRBs, but the NHX is systematically larger. This result suggests that the darkness of some GRB populations is not due to an intrinsic mechanism, but rather because a higher density surrounds them.

Polytropic gas cosmology and late-time acceleration

The accelerated expansion of the Universe has sparked significant interest in the mysterious concept of dark energy within cosmology. Various theories have been proposed to explain dark energy, and many models have been developed to understand its origins and properties. This research explores cosmic expansion using the Polytropic Gas (PG) approach, which combines Dark Matter (DM) and Dark Energy (DE) into a single mysterious fluid. We used the principles of general relativity and built our model within the homogeneous and isotropic framework of Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) spacetime. We revised the Original Polytropic Gas (OPG) model to expand its applicability beyond the OPG, to the ΛCDM model. Our model's parameters were carefully adjusted to reflect key cosmological features of the variable PG approach. To validate our model, we performed a Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis using recent Supernova data from the Pantheon+ survey, 36 observational data points, 162 Gamma-Ray Bursts, and 24 binned Quasars distance modulus data. The AIC and BIC criteria indicate that our model is slightly preferred over the ΛCDM model based on observational data. We also tested our model with data, Supernova, Gamma-Ray Bursts, and Quasars and found that it exhibits a transition from a quintessential to phantom regime. The Polytropic dark fluid model (PDFM) is a promising candidate that effectively addresses the interplay between cosmic acceleration and dark energy.

The Intrinsic Correlations between Prompt Emission and X-ray Flares of Gamma-Ray Bursts

X-ray flare (XRF) is a common phenomenon in the X-ray afterglow of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Although it is commonly believed that XRFs may share a common origin with prompt emission, i.e., the “internal” origin, the origin of XRFs is still unknown. In this work, we compile a GRB sample containing 31 GRBs with a single XRF, a well-measured spectrum, and a redshift, and investigate the intrinsic properties and correlations between prompt emission and the XRFs of these events. We find that the distributions of main physical parameters of prompt emission and XRFs are basically log-normal. The median value of the rise time is shorter than the decay time for all flares, with a ratio of about 1:2, which is similar to the fast rise and exponential decay structure of prompt emission pulses. We also find that the prompt emission energy (Eiso) and peak luminosity (Liso) have tight correlations with XRF energy (EX,iso) and peak luminosity (LX,p), Eiso∝EX,iso0.74 (LX,p0.62) and Liso∝EX,iso0.85 (LX,p0.68). However, the durations of prompt emissions are independent of the temporal properties of XRFs. Furthermore, we also analyze the three-parameter correlations between prompt emissions and XRFs, and find that there are tight correlations among the XRF peak time (Tp,z), LX,p, and Eiso/Liso, LX,p∝Tp,z−1.08Eiso0.84 and LX,p∝Tp,z−1.09Liso0.71. Interestingly, these results are very similar to the properties of an X-ray plateau in GRBs, which indicates that X-ray flares and plateaus may have the same physical origin, and strongly supports that the two emission components originate from the late-time activity of the central engine.

Single-pulse Gamma-Ray Bursts Have Prevalent Hard-to-soft Spectral Evolution

We analyze the spectral evolution of 62 bright Fermi gamma-ray bursts with large enough signal-to-noise to allow for time-resolved spectral analysis. We develop a new algorithm to test for single-pulse morphology that is insensitive to the specific shape of pulses. Instead, it only checks whether or not there are multiple, isolated, or statistical significant peaks in the light curve. In addition, we carry out a citizen science test to assess light-curve morphology and spectral evolution. We find that, no matter the adopted assessment method, bursts characterized by single-peaked prompt emission light curves have a greater tendency to also have a consistently decaying peak energy or hard-to-soft spectral evolution. This contrasts with the behavior of multipeaked bursts, for which the tendency is to have a peak frequency that is not monotonically decreasing. We discuss this finding in the theoretical framework of internal/external shocks and find it to be consistent with at least some single-pulse bursts associated with particularly high-density environments.

A Search for Soft X-Ray Emission Lines in the Afterglow Spectrum of GRB 221009A

GRB 221009A was the brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) of all time (BOAT), surpassing in prompt brightness all GRBs discovered in ∼50 yr and in afterglow brightness in ∼20 yr. We observed the BOAT with XMM-Newton 2.3 days after the prompt. The X-ray afterglow was still very bright and we collected the largest number of photons with the reflection grating spectrometers (RGSs) on a GRB. We searched the RGS data for narrow emission or absorption features. We did not detect any bright line feature. A candidate narrow feature is identified at a (rest-frame) energy of 1.455−0.014+0.006 keV, consistent with an Mg xii K α emission line, slightly redshifted (0.012) with respect to the host galaxy. We assessed a marginal statistical significance of 3.0σ for this faint feature based on conservative Monte Carlo simulations, which requires caution for any physical interpretation. If this line feature would be for real, we propose that it might originate from the reflection in the innermost regions of the infalling funnel from low-level late-time activity emission of the central engine.

Origin of the Twice-90° Rotations of the Polarization Angle in GRB 170114A and GRB 160821A

The observed abrupt twice-90° rotations of the polarization angle (PA) in the prompt phase of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are difficult to understand within the current one-emitting-shell models. Here, we apply a model with multiple emitting shells to solve this new challenging problem. Two configurations of large-scale ordered magnetic fields in the shells are considered: toroidal and aligned. Together with the light curves and the spectral peak energy evolutions, the twice-90° PA rotations in GRB 170114A and GRB 160821A could be well interpreted with the multishell aligned magnetic field configuration (MFC). Our numerical calculations also show that the multiple shells with the toroidal MFC could not explain the observed twice-90° PA rotations. An aligned MFC in the GRB outflow usually indicates the preference of a magnetar central engine, while a toroidal field configuration is typically related to a central black hole. Therefore, the magnetar central engines for the two GRBs are favored.

Magnetization Factors of Gamma-Ray Burst Jets Revealed by a Systematic Analysis of the Fermi Sample

The composition of gamma-ray burst (GRB) jets remained a mystery until recently. In practice, we usually characterize the magnetization of the GRB jets (σ 0) through the ratio between the Poynting flux and matter (baryonic) flux. With the increasing value of σ 0, magnetic energy gradually takes on a dominant role in the acceleration and energy dissipation of the jet, causing the proportion of thermal component in the prompt-emission spectrum of GRBs to gradually decrease or even be completely suppressed. In this work, we conducted an extensive analysis of the time-resolved spectrum for all Fermi GRBs with known redshift, and we diagnose σ 0 for each time bin by contrasting the thermal and nonthermal radiation components. Our results suggest that most GRB jets should contain a significant magnetic energy component, likely with magnetization factors σ 0 ≥ 10. The value of σ 0 seems to vary significantly within the same GRB. Future studies with more samples, especially those with lower-energy spectral information coverage, will further verify our results.

Recent progresses in strange quark stars

According to the hypothesis that strange quark matter may be the true ground state of matter at extremely high densities, strange quark stars should be stable and could exist in the Universe. It is possible that pulsars may actually be strange stars, but not neutron stars. Here we present a short review on recent progresses in the field of strange quark stars. First, three popular phenomenological models widely used to describe strange quark matter are introduced, with special attention being paid on the corresponding equation of state in each model. Combining the equation of state with the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkov equations, the inner structure and mass-radius relation can be obtained for the whole sequence of strange stars. Tidal deformability and oscillations (both radial and non-radial oscillations), which are sensitive to the composition and the equations of state, are then described. Hybrid stars as a special kind of quark stars are discussed. Several other interesting aspects of strange stars are also included. For example, strong gravitational wave emissions may be generated by strange stars through various mechanisms, which may help identify strange stars via observations. Especially, close-in strange quark planets with respect to their hosts may provide a unique test for the existence of strange quark objects. Fierce electromagnetic bursts could also be generated by strange stars. The energy may come from the phase transition of neutron stars to strange stars, or from the merger of binary strange stars. The collapse of the strange star crust can also release a huge amount of energy. It is shown that strange quark stars may be involved in short gamma-ray bursts and fast radio bursts.

Closing the Net on Transient Sources of Ultrahigh-energy Cosmic Rays

The arrival directions of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) observed above 4 × 1019 eV provide evidence of localized excesses that are key to identifying their sources. We leverage the 3D matter distribution from optical and infrared surveys as a density model of UHECR sources, which are considered to be transient. Agreement of the sky model with UHECR data imposes constraints on both the emission rate per unit matter and the time spread induced by encountered turbulent magnetic fields. Based on radio measurements of cosmic magnetism, we identify the Local Sheet as the magnetized structure responsible for the kiloyear duration of UHECR bursts for an observer on Earth and find that the turbulence amplitude must be within 0.5–20 nG for a coherence length of 10 kpc. At the same time, the burst-rate density must be above 50 Gpc−3 yr−1 for Local Sheet galaxies to reproduce the UHECR excesses and below 5000 Gpc−3 yr−1 (30,000 Gpc−3 yr−1) for the Milky Way (Local Group galaxies) not to outshine other galaxies. For the transient emissions of protons and nuclei to match the energy spectra of UHECRs, the kinetic energy of the outflows responsible for UHECR acceleration must be below 4 × 1054 erg and above 5 × 1050 erg (2 × 1049 erg) if we consider the Milky Way (or not). The only stellar-sized transients that satisfy both Hillas’ and our criteria are long-duration gamma-ray bursts.

The GRB221009A gamma-ray burst as revealed by the gamma-ray spectrometer onboard the KPLO (Danuri)

The strongest gamma-ray burst (GRB) of the century, GRB20221009A, has been detected by the Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter Gamma-ray Spectrometer (KGRS) instrument onboard the Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO). KGRS uses a LaBr3 detector to measure GRB counts with five energy bins in the energy range from 30 keV to 12 MeV. KGRS detected GRB221009A at a distance of 1.508 million kilometers from the Earth. The full duration of the main burst was recorded between 13:20 and 13:26 on October 9, 2022 with peak counts of over 1000 times background. The dead time of KGRS reached as high as 50%, and the intrinsic gamma-ray spectrum of LaBr3 was significantly altered.

Stringent Tests of Lorentz Invariance Violation from LHAASO Observations of GRB 221009A.

On 9 October 2022, the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) reported the observation of the very early TeV afterglow of the brightest-of-all-time gamma-ray burst 221009A, recording the highest photon statistics in the TeV band ever obtained from a gamma-ray burst. We use this unique observation to place stringent constraints on the energy dependence of the speed of light in vacuum, a manifestation of Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) predicted by some quantum gravity (QG) theories. Our results show that the 95% confidence level lower limits on the QG energy scales are E_{QG,1}>10 times the Planck energy E_{Pl} for the linear LIV effect, and E_{QG,2}>6×10^{-8}E_{Pl} for the quadratic LIV effect. Our limits on the quadratic LIV case improve previous best bounds by factors of 5-7.

Constraining the variable generalized Chaplygin gas model in matter creation cosmology

We explore the variable generalized Chaplygin gas (VGCG) model in the theory of matter creation cosmology within the framework of a spatially homogeneous and isotropic flat Friedmann—Lemaître—Robertson—Walker space-time. Matter creation cosmology is based on reinterpretation of the energy–momentum tensor in Einstein’s field equations. This creation corresponds to an irreversible energy flow from the gravitational field to the created matter constituents. The variable Chaplygin gas (VCG) is also studied as a particular solution. We use the Markov chain Monte Carlo method to constrain the free parameters of three models, namely, Lambda-Cold-Dark matter (ΛCDM), VGCG and VCG models with and without matter creation from the latest observational data from baryon acoustic oscillations, cosmic chronometer, type Ia supernovae (Pantheon) including gamma-ray bursts, quasars and the local measurement of H 0 from R21 data. Two different combinations of dataset provide a fairly tight constraint on the parameters of the ΛCDM, VGCG and VCG models. The present values of various cosmological parameters are obtained, which are very close to the ΛCDM model. Furthermore, we perform stability analysis, Bayesian evidence analysis and information criteria analysis for these models through studying the sound speed, Bayes factor, and Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC) selection criteria. The values of sound speed for VGCG and VCG models shows that both the models are stable. According to AIC, it is observed that VGCG and VCG models with matter creation are supported considerably less by current observations, while BIC shows that these models are not favoured by observational data.

Convolutional Neural Network Processing of Radio Emission for Nuclear Composition Classification of Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays

Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are extremely rare energetic particles of ordinary matter in the Universe, traveling astronomical distances before reaching the Earth’s atmosphere. When primary cosmic rays interact with atmospheric nuclei, cascading extensive air showers (EASs) of secondary elementary particles are developed. Radio detectors have proven to be a reliable method for reconstructing the properties of EASs, such as the shower’s axis, its energy, and its maximum (Xmax). This aids in understanding fundamental astrophysical phenomena, like active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. Concurrently, data science has become indispensable in UHECR research. By applying statistical, computational, and deep learning methods to both real-world and simulated radio data, researchers can extract insights and make predictions. We introduce a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture designed to classify simulated air shower events as either being generated by protons or by iron nuclei. The classification achieved a stable test error of 10%, with Accuracy and F1 scores of 0.9 and an MCC of 0.8. These metrics indicate strong prediction capability for UHECR’s nuclear composition, based on data that can be gathered by detectors at the world’s largest cosmic rays experiment on Earth, the Pierre Auger Observatory, which includes radio antennas, water Cherenkov detectors, and fluorescence telescopes.

X-ray Afterglow limits on the viewing angles of short gamma-ray bursts

Abstract The behavior of a short gamma-ray burst (sGRB) afterglow lightcurve can reveal the angular structure of the relativistic jet and constrain the observer’s viewing angle θobs. The observed deceleration time of the jet, and, therefore, the time of the afterglow peak, depends on the observer’s viewing angle. A larger viewing angle leads to a later peak of the afterglow and a lower flux at peak. We utilize the earliest afterglow detections of 58 sGRBs detected with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory X-ray Telescope to constrain the ratio of the viewing angle θobs to the jet’s core θc. We adopt a power-law angular jet structure in both energy E(θ)∝θ−a and Lorentz factor Γ(θ)∝θ−b beyond the core. We find that either sGRBs are viewed within θobs/θc < 1 or the initial Lorentz factor of material in their jet’s core is extremely high (Γ0 > 500). If we consider tophat jets, we constrain 90% of our sample to be viewed within θobs/θc < 1.06 and 1.15 for our canonical and conservative afterglow scenarios. For a subset of events with measurements of the jet break, we can constrain Γ0θc ≳ 30. This confirmation that cosmological sGRBs are viewed either on-axis or very close to their jet’s core has significant implications for the nature of the prompt gamma-ray production mechanism and for the rate of future sGRB detections coincident with gravitational waves (GWs), implying that they are extremely rare.

Constraint on the Cosmic Curvature in a Model with the Schwarzschild–de Sitter Metric from Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Burst Observational Data

In developing his cosmological model of 1917, de Sitter theoretically predicted the phenomenon of cosmological redshift (the de Sitter effect), which he did long before the discovery of this phenomenon in observations. The de Sitter effect is gravitational by its nature, as it is due to differences between the coordinate systems of the observer and the distant source. However, the relationship between the redshift and distance derived from the de Sitter metric is at odds with observations, since this relationship is nonlinear (quadratic) for small redshifts, while the observed relationship between the same quantities is strictly linear. This paper discusses the possibility that cosmological redshift is gravitational by its nature, as in de Sitter’s 1917 model. At the same time, here, as in de Sitter’s model, an elliptical space is used, the main characteristic of which is the identification of its antipodal points. But, unlike de Sitter’s model, here, in order to ensure strict linear dependence of the redshift on distance, the origin of the reference system is transferred to the observer’s antipodal point. The Schwarzschild–de Sitter metric used in this model allows you to estimate the curvature of space from observational data. To achieve this, a theoretical Hubble diagram is built within the framework of the model with the Schwarzschild–de Sitter metric, which is compared with observations from the Pantheon+ catalogue of type Ia supernovae and the Amati catalogue of gamma-ray bursts in the redshift range of 0<z<8. As a result of this comparison, we found that the lower estimate of the radius of curvature of space was quite large: 2.4×1015 Mpc. This means that the observational data indicate a negligible curvature of space.

Energy-dependent intrinsic time delay of gamma-ray bursts on testing Lorentz invariance violation

High-energy photons of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) might be emitted at different intrinsic times with energy dependence at the source. In this letter, we expand the model from previous works on testing the Lorentz Invariance Violation (LV) with the observed GRB data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. We reanalyze the previous data with the full Bayesian parameter estimation method and get consistent results by assuming that the time delays are due to an LV term and a constant intrinsic time delay term. Subsequently, we neglect the LV effect and only consider the intrinsic time delay effect. We assume a common intrinsic time delay term along with a source energy correlated time delay of high-energy photons. We find that the energy-dependent emission times can also explain the observed GRB data of high-energy photon events. Finally, we integrate these two physical mechanisms into a unified model to distinguish and evaluate their respective contributions using the observed GRB data.

Energy flow of λ in Hořava-Lifshitz cosmology

Hořava-Lifshitz gravity has been proposed as a renormalizable and ghost-free quantum gravity model candidate with an anisotropic UV-scaling between space and time. We present here a cosmological background analysis of two different formulations of the theory, with particular focus on the running of the parameter λ. Using a large dataset consisting of cosmic microwave background data from , Pantheon+supernovae catalog, SH0ES Cepheid variable stars, baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), cosmic chronometers, and gamma-ray bursts (GRB), we arrive at new bounds on the cosmological parameters, in particular λ, which runs logarithmically with energy and describes deviation from general relativity, which corresponds to λ=1 For the detailed balance scenario we arrive at the bound λ=1.0406±0.0023, and for beyond detailed balance the limit reads λ=1.0064±0.0002. We also study the influence of different datasets and priors, and we find that removing low-redshift data generally moves λ closer toward UV values, while simultaneously widening the error bars. In the detailed balance scenario, this effect is more noticeable, and without prior λ≥1 it takes on values that are significantly below unity. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Exploring the Origin of Ultralong Gamma-Ray Bursts: Lessons from GRB 221009A

The brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) ever, GRB 221009A, displays ultralong GRB (ULGRB) characteristics, with a prompt emission duration exceeding 1000 s. To constrain the origin and central engine of this unique burst, we analyze its prompt and afterglow characteristics and compare them to the established set of similar GRBs. To achieve this, we statistically examine a nearly complete sample of Swift-detected GRBs with measured redshifts. We categorize the sample to bronze, silver, and gold by fitting a Gaussian function to the log-normal of T 90 duration distribution and considering three subsamples respectively to 1, 2, and 3 times of the standard deviation to the mean value. GRB 221009A falls into the gold subsample. Our analysis of prompt emission and afterglow characteristics aims to identify trends between the three burst groups. Notably, the gold subsample (a higher likelihood of being ULGRB candidates) suggests a collapsar scenario with a hyperaccreting black hole as a potential central engine, while a few GRBs (GRB 060218, GRB 091024A, and GRB 100316D) in our gold subsample favor a magnetar. Late-time near-IR observations from 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope rule out the presence of any bright supernova associated with GRB 221009A in the gold subsample. To further constrain the physical properties of ULGRB progenitors, we employ the tool MESA to simulate the evolution of low-metallicity massive stars with different initial rotations. The outcomes suggest that rotating (Ω ≥ 0.2 Ωc) massive stars could potentially be the progenitors of ULGRBs within the considered parameters and initial inputs to MESA.

GRB 211211A: The Case for an Engine-powered over r-process-powered Blue Kilonova

The recent gamma-ray burst (GRB) GRB 211211A provides the earliest (∼5 hr) data of a kilonova (KN) event, displaying bright (∼1042 erg s−1) and blue early emission. Previously, this KN was explained using simplistic multicomponent fitting methods. Here, in order to understand the physical origin of the KN emission in GRB 211211A, we employ an analytic multizone model for r-process-powered KNe. We find that r-process-powered KN models alone cannot explain the fast temporal evolution and the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the observed emission. Specifically, (i) r-process models require high ejecta mass to match early luminosity, which overpredicts late-time emission, while (ii) red KN models that reproduce late emission underpredict early luminosity. We propose an alternative scenario involving early contributions from the GRB central engine via a late low-power jet, consistent with plateau emission in short GRBs and GeV emission detected by Fermi-LAT at ∼104 s after GRB 211211A. Such late central engine activity, with an energy budget of ∼a few percent of that of the prompt jet, combined with a single red KN ejecta component, can naturally explain the light curve and SED of the observed emission, with the late-jet–ejecta interaction reproducing the early blue emission and r-process heating reproducing the late red emission. This supports claims that late low-power engine activity after prompt emission may be common. We encourage early follow-up observations of future nearby GRBs and compact binary merger events to reveal more about the central engine of GRBs and r-process events.

Revisiting the concordance ΛCDM model using Gamma-Ray Bursts together with supernovae Ia and Planck data

The Hubble constant, H0, tension is the tension among the local probes, Supernovae Ia, and the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. This tension has persisted for decades and continues to puzzle the community. Here, we add intermediate redshift probes, such as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) and Quasars (QS0s), to check if and to what extent these higher redshift probes can reduce this tension. We use the three-dimensional fundamental plane relation among the prompt peak luminosity, the luminosity at the end of the plateau emission, and its rest frame duration. We find similar trend in GRB intrinsic parameters as previously seen in Pantheon-Plus intrinsic parameters. We find an apparent 3.14σ tension for the GRB intrinsic parameter b. Indeed, this tension disappears and the parameters are actually compatible within 2.26σ. Another interesting point is that the 3D relation plays an important role in conjunction with Supernovae data with Pantheon Plus and that this apparent discrepancy shows the importance of the correction for selection biases and redshift evolution. The incorporation of redshift evolution correction results in a reduction of the GRB tension to 2.26σ when adjusting correction parameters. We envision that with more data this indication of tension will possibly disappear when the evolutionary parameters of GRBs are computed with increased precision.